Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
Coram Beanstalk
Volunteers SchoolsDonate
  • Twitter
Menu
  • Get to know us
    • Our story
    • Our impact
    • We are Coram
    • Our people
  • Working with schools
    • Virtual schools
    • Early years
    • Primary
    • Secondary
    • School contact form
    • Resources for schools
    • Primary school information
  • Reading at home
    • Book of the month
    • World Book Day books 2026
    • Guidance for parents
    • Activities to use with children
  • Support us
    • Volunteer
      • Our volunteer roles
      • Training and support
      • Apply to volunteer
      • Safeguarding
      • Resources for existing volunteers
    • Leave a legacy
    • Corporate support
    • Challenge events
    • Follow our story
  • Latest stories
    • News
    • Blogs
    • Latest feedback
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Guidance for parents
  1. Reading at home
  2. Guidance for parents

Guidance for parents

At Coram Beanstalk we want every child to be a confident reader and every adult to feel comfortable reading with the children in their lives. This section has lots of useful tips to help you grow a love of reading, including our myth-busting film.

Tips for sharing different types of books

Tips for sharing different types of books

Discover some helpful tips highlighting the benefits of sharing different types of books with children - from graphic novels to poetry. You'll also find some suggested simple questions and activities to enhance your reading time together along with some recommended books for each genre... Read more

Published: 28th April, 2025

Updated: 23rd October, 2025

Author: Kate- Loynes

How we can best help children become readers

How we can best help children become readers

Take a look at our myth-busting film containing our best advice for helping children to become readers... Read more

Published: 8th March, 2023

Updated: 23rd October, 2025

Author: Kate- Loynes

Six ways to help children choose reading

Six ways to help children choose reading

Coram Beanstalk has come up with six ways to help encourage your child to choose reading - whether they are yet to start formally learning to read or have already learned the basics! Our tips will help your child discover the value and joy that reading can bring, making them more likely to want to read. Find out more here... Read more

Published: 7th March, 2023

Updated: 23rd October, 2025

Author: Kate- Loynes

Grow a love of reading: Tip #1

Grow a love of reading: Tip #1

Read to your child, regardless of how old they are! Read more

Published: 30th March, 2020

Updated: 24th September, 2021

Author: Anonymised User

Grow a love of reading: Tip #2

Grow a love of reading: Tip #2

Reading shouldn't just be reserved for bedtime Read more

Published: 29th March, 2020

Updated: 13th February, 2024

Author: Anonymised User

Grow a love of reading: Tip #3

Grow a love of reading: Tip #3

Check understanding with book-based games and discussion Read more

Published: 28th March, 2020

Updated: 23rd October, 2025

Author: Anonymised User

Grow a love of reading: Tip #4

Grow a love of reading: Tip #4

Embrace reading the same books (over and over again!) Read more

Published: 27th March, 2020

Updated: 13th February, 2024

Author: Kate- Loynes

Grow a love of reading: Tip #5

Grow a love of reading: Tip #5

Reading doesn't have to be all about fiction! Read more

Published: 26th March, 2020

Updated: 24th September, 2021

Author: Kate- Loynes

Grow a love of reading: Tip #6

Grow a love of reading: Tip #6

Set yourself up to succeed! Read more

Published: 25th March, 2020

Updated: 24th September, 2021

Author: Kate- Loynes

Grow a love of reading: Tip #7

Grow a love of reading: Tip #7

Read together as a family! Read more

Published: 24th March, 2020

Updated: 24th September, 2021

Author: Anonymised User

Grow a love of reading: Tip #8

Grow a love of reading: Tip #8

Get more out of a picture book Read more

Published: 23rd March, 2020

Updated: 24th September, 2021

Author: Anonymised User

Grow a love of reading: Tip #9

Grow a love of reading: Tip #9

Give the right message Read more

Published: 13th March, 2020

Updated: 24th September, 2021

Author: Anonymised User

Load more Back to top

Latest

  • June 2026

    June 2026

    This month, we’re hosting our next Virtual Author Event for Coram Beanstalk schools with award‑winning author Ben Davis! We’ve chosen his latest book, Postman Planet, as our Book of the Month for June and we've found a range of other Beanstalk Brilliant books featuring post or letters for you to explore...

  • Sir Michael Morpurgo OBE

    Sir Michael Morpurgo OBE

    Michael joined Coram Beanstalk as an Ambassador in November 2017 and continues to be an advocate for our work creating readers for pleasure.

  • Liz Pichon

    Liz Pichon

    Hugely popular author and illustrator, Liz Pichon, is best known for her award-winning series Tom Gates and became a Coram Beanstalk Ambassador in 2017.

  • May 2026

    May 2026

    This month Coram Beanstalk has collaborated with the Federation of Children's Book Groups (FCBG) to celebrate National Share a Story Month (NSSM). Our chosen Book of the Month from the FCBG curated list of books for NSSM is 'I am Rebel' by our author supporter, and past reading helper, Ross Montgomery. Read more...

Most read

  • Apply to volunteer

    Apply to volunteer

    Ready to take the first step to becoming a reading helper? Check that you can meet some basic practicalities and fill in our application form here.

  • Frequently asked questions

    Frequently asked questions

    You may have some questions in your mind before you fill in your application form. Here are answers to our most commonly asked questions. If your question isn't answered here you can find out how to get in touch with our team.

  • Where we work

    Where we work

    Coram Beanstalk offers different programmes across the UK. Find out where we work here.

  • The benefits of being a reading helper

    The benefits of being a reading helper

    We know from our volunteers that being a reading helper brings purpose and enjoyment into their lives. Find out more about the benefits of being part of our reading community here.

  • Our approach

    Our approach

    Find out more about how we work and our approach to reading support.

  • Thank you for applying to be a Coram Beanstalk reading helper

  • Literacy charities join forces

    Literacy charities join forces

    On 1st November 2017 Reading Matters merged with the national children’s literacy charity Beanstalk.

  • Current vacancies

    Current vacancies

    Click here to view our current vacancies.

  • Volunteer agreement

    Volunteer agreement

    Our volunteers represent the charity in the partner schools that we work with. It is a formal role with commitments and expectations from us and you. These are set out in our volunteer agreement and role description here.

  • Training and support

    Training and support

    We know our approach to reading works and love to share this with our volunteers to help them start sessions with confidence, and continue to learn as they get to know the children. Find out how here.

  • Follow our story

  • Become part of a community passionate about reading for pleasure and wellbeing and keep up to date with everything we’re working on.

Useful links

  • Terms & conditions 
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookie policy
  • Compliments and complaints policy
  • Reporting a safeguarding issue
  • Accessibility
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap

Volunteer portal

  • Click on the button below to log in to our volunteer portal

  • Volunteer portal

Follow us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Linkedin
  • Instagram

Copyright © 2026 Coram Beanstalk. Coram Beanstalk,
Coram Campus, 41 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AZ.

  • Coram Beanstalk is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

  • Registered Charity No. 296454 (England and Wales).

  • Registered as a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales No. 2101719.

  • All images are from Coram Beanstalk’s stock image library and are for representation only.

  • Names in case studies have been changed to protect identities. All rights reserved.

Coram Beanstalk is proud to be a lead delivery partner for The National Year of Reading 2026! 
Manage Cookie Preferences